Summer Lawn Survival Guide: Beat the Heat in Virginia

Virginia summers bring intense heat, humidity, and occasional drought conditions, making lawn care a challenge. However, with the right strategies, you can keep your grass healthy and vibrant throughout the season. Here’s your essential guide to protecting your lawn from the summer heat.

1. Choose the Right Grass for Virginia’s Climate

Virginia falls in the transition zone, meaning both cool-season and warm-season grasses can thrive, but summer stress is particularly hard on cool-season varieties like fescue and bluegrass. If your lawn struggles each summer, consider overseeding with drought-resistant varieties like:

• Tall Fescue: Deep-rooted and heat-tolerant, this grass is a great choice for homeowners who want a lush lawn with minimal maintenance. It also has good shade tolerance.
• Bermudagrass: This warm-season grass thrives in full sun and is highly drought-resistant. However, it requires frequent mowing and does not do well in shady areas.
• Zoysia: This dense, carpet-like grass handles heat and drought well. It grows slowly but establishes a strong root system, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.

Learn more about the best grass types for lawns in Virginia.

2. Water Smart, Not More

Overwatering leads to shallow roots, making your lawn more vulnerable to drought stress. Instead, follow these watering best practices:

• Water deeply and infrequently, aiming for about 1 to 1.5 inches per week, including rainfall. This encourages deep root growth, making your lawn more resilient during hot spells.
• The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning (5–9 AM), reducing evaporation and fungal risks. Watering in the evening can lead to prolonged moisture on grass blades, increasing the chance of disease.
• Use a rain gauge or moisture meter to measure how much water your lawn is receiving. Overwatering can cause runoff, which wastes water and washes away nutrients.
• Consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses for efficient water distribution, especially in areas with compacted soil.

3. Mow for Health

Proper mowing can significantly improve your lawn’s heat resistance:

• Raise your mower blade to at least 3.5 to 4 inches to shade the soil and retain moisture. Taller grass also develops deeper roots that can access water more efficiently.
• Keep mower blades sharp to prevent tearing grass, which leads to moisture loss and disease susceptibility. A clean cut ensures that grass blades heal quickly and retain more moisture.
• Avoid mowing during peak heat to prevent additional stress on the grass. The best time to mow is in the early morning or evening when temperatures are lower.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn as they act as a natural mulch, helping retain moisture and returning nutrients to the soil.

4. Feed and Protect Your Lawn

• Apply a summer fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen to sustain growth without burning the grass. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers in peak summer, as they can stress your lawn.
• Use organic compost to improve soil health and moisture retention. Adding a thin layer of compost can increase microbial activity and enhance root strength.
• Treat for pests and diseases, particularly grubs, chinch bugs, and brown patch, which thrive in Virginia’s summer climate. Use targeted treatments, and consider applying beneficial nematodes to control grubs naturally.

Learn more about late summer and fall fertilization.

5. Aerate and Overseed (Late Summer)

If your lawn suffers from compacted soil or thinning patches, plan for aeration and overseeding in late summer to prepare for fall recovery. 

• Core aeration helps break up compacted soil, allowing water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the roots. Learn more about the benefits of lawn aeration.
• Overseeding with heat-resistant grass varieties can strengthen your lawn and improve its ability to withstand drought and wear.
• Top-dressing with compost after aeration helps improve soil structure and encourages seed germination.

This is especially beneficial for fescue lawns that struggle under the heat.

6. Mulch Grass Clippings for Moisture Retention

Instead of bagging clippings, leave them on your lawn to act as a natural mulch. This helps retain moisture and returns nutrients to the soil.

• Use a mulching mower to finely chop clippings, allowing them to decompose quickly.
• Mulch flower beds and trees to further conserve soil moisture and reduce competition for water.

7. Manage Weeds Without Damaging Your Lawn

• Apply a post-emergent herbicide to control broadleaf weeds like crabgrass and clover. Choose selective herbicides that won’t harm your grass type.
• Hand-pull weeds after rainfall when the soil is soft for easier removal. This method is effective for spot control of invasive weeds.
• Consider making a homemade weed killer to address active weeds.
• Use corn gluten meal as a natural pre-emergent to suppress weed seed germination.
• Avoid chemical treatments during extreme heat, as they can damage the grass. Opt for spot treatments rather than full-lawn applications.

Learn how to identify common weed types and how to get rid of weeds in your Virginia yard.

8. Prepare for Drought Stress

• Consider drought-resistant landscaping for areas that struggle with grass growth. Native plants and ground covers require less water and maintenance.
• Reduce foot traffic on dry or dormant grass to prevent further damage. Grass under stress is more susceptible to wear and tear.
• If your lawn goes dormant, don’t panic—it will recover when cooler temperatures return. Avoid heavy fertilization and excessive watering during dormancy.

9. Local Lawn Care Support

Sometimes, professional care can make all the difference. If summer stress is overwhelming your lawn, local lawn care experts can provide tailored treatments like disease prevention, aeration, and customized fertilization programs to keep your grass resilient.

• Soil testing can determine pH levels and nutrient deficiencies.
• Customized treatment plans ensure your lawn gets the care it needs based on your specific grass type and climate conditions.
• Outdoor pest control can help manage insect infestations and prevent painful bites or lawn damage.

Final Thoughts

Virginia’s summer heat is tough, but with proper watering, mowing, and soil care, your lawn can stay lush and green. Implement these strategies, and you’ll have a healthy, heat-resistant lawn that thrives all season long!

Need professional help? Contact your local lawn care experts for a customized summer maintenance plan!